I Dream Of Djinn
Log Info
- Title: I Dream Of Djinn
- Emitter: Aftershock
- Characters: Aimarra, Paenitia, Seyardu, Randolf, MAC-B1G
- Place: Alexandros Wilderness
- Time: Monday, December 20, 2021, 9:22 PM
- Summary: Adventurers are hired to escort an acting troop. They aren't far into the mission when they encounter an illusion, seemingly generated by the troope's leader, Mekusmen. He is confronted, and reveals, yes, he did test them. A couple of the more insightful determine they are Marids, extra-planar watery beings. They are offered the opportunity to cancel their contract, but end up agreeing to forge on. A day of travel turns into a night of rest and in the early morning watch MAC-B1G and Randolf are awakened by something loud and thunderous. Paenitia takes to the sky in her nightclothes while the rest prepare. She asks for light, Mekusmen refuses, and everyone else can see in the dark.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aimarra 5'1" 128 Lb Half-Elf Female Brown hair and eyes, breastplate, leathers, pointed ears. Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Randolf 4'10" 280 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A burly, well-dressed Khazad in wizardly robes. MAC-B1G 6'6" 303 Lb War Golem Neuter Drab gray primarily metal humanoid with cyan-lit optical receptors. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aftershock It's what comes after... -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The mission was a pretty simple, and stright-forward one. Escort a group of traveling performers from the city of Alexandria to a small settlement a few days ride away. The troope isn't expecting any trouble, but Mekusmen - their leader - is a cautious sort, and the countryside has been full of unrest of late. He hires you on from the guild and introduces you around to his various traveling companions. Dhassil, Ghibri, and Rito. They all seem friendly enough, and though their leader is more of a quiet sort the other three seem happy to fill the silence. Mostly with song, and occasionally acrobatics.
Randolf sits astride his borrowed horse, doing his very best to relax. He's had some... experiences... with thespians of late. But he puts on his bravest face, and resolves to make the best of the situation. And at least the singing and acrobatics are entertaining. He even finds himself singing along with some of the rowdier tunes, lifting up his booming dwarven voice to belt out the lyrics.
Sounds easy enough. Aimarra signed up readily enough, and while she has been polite enough, she's been more of a watcher than a singer, and if she sings, it's quietly and not especially tunefully. She doesn't seem to have any worry about thespians.
Simple and straightforward tasks are what the multi-purpose assault construct's processing was designed for. Armed escort is one of its original primary functions... with the caveat that speed is not a priority. MAC was not designed to be rapid. Nor inconspicuous. Given the continued harmonic vocalizations en route, the escorted were similarly not designed with stealth in mind.
Paenitia is also agreeable to any task that gets her out in the countryside and lets Ramirez take wing. The little lucht can dance, and not strictly ballroom either. She expanded on her skills during the search for a reliquary.
She only does this off duty. On duty, she's fully armoured and mounted up, often in the air gliding back and forth.
It was always a quiet traveling band that somehow managed to get ambushed by bandits or monsters or worse. Or it always seemed to happen when she was one on duty. The correlation could not be proven however, so Seyardu would rather not take any chances. And travel was always enjoyable.
The cleric had a swiftclaw from Mictlan, one of the more docile ones less likely to kill any of the horses, or its rider. And it even kept to the road easy enough for her to manage.
GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (14)+5: 19 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11 (Ramirez Perception) GAME: Aimarra rolls perception: (5)+14: 19 GAME: Randolf rolls Perception: (15)+7: 22 GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (18)+6: 24 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls perception: (19)+14: 33 GAME: Randolf rolls Will+2: (8)+6+2: 16 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls will: (3)+4: 7 GAME: Paenitia rolls will+1: (19)+5+1: 25 (+1 is Lucky Lucht) GAME: Seyardu rolls will+3: (20)+12+3: 35 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) GAME: Aimarra rolls will: (12)+4: 16 GAME: Seyardu rolls spellcraft: (19)+5: 24
There is a group of five giant frogs approaching from the right-hand side of the road.
Abruptly, Aimarra's on her feet, her bow off her back in a trice and reaching for an arrow. "We've got company! Those are probably poisonous."
Randolf pauses in mid-belt to lean forward in his saddle. His eyes narrow, and he reaches over to pull his wand. "Aye, Aimarra's got it right!" he growls. "Don't let 'em lick ye! An' fer Reos' sake, don't lick -them-! That -never- ends well!" He lifts his wand to prepare a spell, then pause. "Er. Not as -I'd- know anything 'bout that."
"The frogs, they are not real." Paenitia warns, looking around, readying her lance, "There is the caster with the tricks about. This is the distraction."
Flashback: Randolf as a young dwarf with a frog and his mother just be like: DON'T LICK THAT!
Seyardu stops her mount as they pass by many large frogs.
Then it sinks in that she stopped the mount, not the other way around. Her swiftclaw was not paying barely any attention to the massive, potentially delicious frogs nearby. She sniffs at the air, and shakes her head. "They are illusions, do not worry about them." She states. "Though the source is more concerning."
Then, she turns to squint at the leader. "Why are you doing this? Is this part of one of your performances, Mekusmen?"
MAC-B1G's faceplate rotates to its right, along with the others. "Threats identified. Incoming amphibians of unusual size." The three 'fingers' on its primary manipulatory appendage splay apart and a barrel extends from between them.
GAME: MAC-B1G rolls will: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Aimarra rolls will: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Aimarra says, "All right, Imma RPP that because I am over this." GAME: Aimarra rolls will: (10)+4: 14 GAME: Randolf rolls Will+2: (4)+6+2: 12 <OOC> Randolf says, "THE COLORS"
The leader of the troope blinks in surprise at Seyardu's words, pressing a hand to his chest, and looking at her innocently. "Me? You believe that I am the source of these monstrous frogs? Why would I attack my own people?" He looks at the frogs in question, and they approach diligently, threatening the right flank of the group. "Are you certain that they are not real?"
If they're not real, Aimarra sure isn't seeing is. She looks away, looks back again, looking at her companions as she nocks and draws an arrow, then looks back again. It's still there. She takes a step backward and lets fly at one of them, into the night on the right flank.
GAME: Paenitia rolls sense motive: (18)+13: 31
"I am certain." Paenitia says, facing Mekusmen with a long look. Of course, it's with her ever grinning mask, one that always seems to be in on a joke. She adds, "I am certain you know too."
'Ruaaah?' Ramirez, he is not certain.
The little knight guides her mount down to the ground, and has him walk through the line of illusions. She keeps a careful eye where he's placing his talons.
It wouldn't be the first time one trick covered another.
GAME: Aimarra rolls sense motive: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Seyardu rolls sense motive: (5)+11: 16 GAME: Randolf rolls sense motive: (17)+4: 21
The construct's threat detection and evaluation systems concur with Aimarra's assessment. After she loose an arrow, MAC takes aim at another assault amphibian and discharges its primary weapon in that direction.
"I know there are ways to cast magic with minimal movements." Seyardu states as she focuses on the man. "And you seem the most likely source, especially given your reaction to me saying that. "Why, I can not say. But I feel that is correct, and I trust Dame Paenitia's judgement."
"So, explain yourself, now, and everyone, keep an eye out for any strange things going on. I do not like this."
Randolf turns his gaze from the frogs--illusionary or otherwise--and looks over at Mekusmen. His eyes narrow, and he peers at the troupe leader. "I don't know," he growls. "Why -would- ye attack yer own people?" He levels his wand at the man. "Let's nae be havin' any sudden movements, now, laddie. I promise ye this--any magick ye can call up, I can put -down-. So let's have nae undue fuss, right?"
The man throws up his hands and the frogs vanish. Rather than looking upset however, he seems... pleased. "Well done. I had heard mixed things about the Adventurers of Alexandria, but it seems that you are as good as is promised. I am Mekusmen, Shahzadas of these who travel with me. We seek out those worthy of our gifts. It seems that you have passed the first test. If you will continue to travel with us, seeing through illusion, and telling false enemy from real - we will grant you a boon." He lowers his hands then. "The choice is yours, for we did play you somewhat false, and we would understand you choosing to turn aside now."
GAME: Randolf rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (17)+12: 29 GAME: MAC-B1G rolls knowledge/the planes: (18)+3: 21 GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/The Planes: (14)+5: 19
More than a little embarrassed as the frogs vanish, Aimarra lowers her bow and turns silently towards the fire and its occupants. Her eyes narrow, but it's probably not good to call attention to that particular error, nor is she likely to be in a position to ask for anything, and well does she know it.
"Ha! I am fine. I have known to play the joke or two." Paenitia laughs, turning Ramirez. Her hippogryph seems confused at the foes which were there, then popped without him using his talons. He looks about, expecting them to reappear.
The Red Knight keeps her gaze fixed on Mekusmen, "I say I go the distance, I shall. I think the comrades will also."
Randolf blinks owlishly as the man makes that outlandish statement. He straightens in his saddle, lowering his wand. "Wait a tick... yer... yer nae -any- ordinary performers. Yer a -marid-, aren't ye?" He looks up and around, then back at Mekusmen. "But what are ye doin' -here-? A wee bit far inland, aren't ye?"
Seyardu squints, but it relents when the frogs vanish, and she continues with her mount moving. "That is, I do not believe that entirely, but we are here to escort." She states. "And if Paenitia and the others will continue? I will not leave them behind."
She looks to Randolf at the declaration, and squints again. "A marid? Are they trustworthy, do you believe?"
MAC-B1G's faceplate rotates back to their escorted now that the threats no longer exist. Specifically Mekusmen. It processes and parses. "Escort task is ... unannounced evaluatory exercise." That leap made, it recalls information cued by Randolf. "Marid: extraplanar aquatic entity." It then continues. "Inquiry: state parameters of further evaluation exercises and goals."
Seeing that no one intends to attack him, and that perhaps his challenge has been accepted, the man puts his hands down. He nods once to Randolf, confirming that he is a Marid. "If I told you the parameters, then you would know what to expect. We have no intention of harming you truly however, the goal remains the same. Escort us safely to our destination, and when we arrive you recieve your reward."
Which it seems is about the answer that you're going to receive. The night brings on challenges of its own. Rito is set upon by chills, and Mekusmen explains that it's a common malady amongst his kind, and further explains that leaving Rito to himself is the best course of action. So you settle in for the evening, with Rito shivering in his blankets as the others settle in for sleep.
Randolf tugs at his beard, frowning thoughtfully. "He's a noble of their kind," he says to his comrades. "An' they -have- been known tae offer rich rewards tae those they deem worthy." He looks over towards Paenitia, then Seyardu, then MAC. Nodding his head, he holsters his wand. "A'right. We'll play along. So long as failure dinnae mean we get swept away tae some watery hell." He shivers a bit at the very thought--dwarves don't do well in water. As night falls, he swings out of his saddle and goes about setting up camp. He's still not much of a woodsman, but he can build a fire easily enough--stacking up firewood and kindling and conjuring a spark of flame with a snap of his fingers. Once everyone is settled in, he does the same, plumping his hefty rump down by the fire. Rito's malady has him looking over at the man with consternation. "I dinnae realize marid could -get- sick," he says worriedly.
Aimarra is quiet for the balance of the evening. although she shoots the odd look at Rito. Not a healer herself, and not inclined to draw attention to herself, after having been rather heartily embarrassed.
GAME: Seyardu rolls heal: (2)+9: 11 (Aid Another Paenitia) GAME: Paenitia rolls heal+4: (20)+13+4+2: 39 (+2 Aid Another from Seyardu)
Paenitia listens as Randolf describes who their employers are, the sorts of rewards they might expect, and then Mekusmen's elaboration on that. As night comes on and Rito gets the chills she finds it impossible to obey the advice to let him be.
Attending to the shivering Marid, she takes off her peacock cloak, adding the light but warm bundle to the ones he has wrapped himself up in. "Here, the gift from Ramirez. You are in more need."
As discretely as she can, she examines him.
Rito is aflicted with a malady which will, eventually if untreated, kill him. However it takes a Remove Disease to cure him of the affliction. It is actually in fact a common, if always fatal, affliction amongst the Marid which causes them to fade each sunset until they eventually die.
Seyardu nods to the explanation, and helps set up the camp. Randolf getting the fire sorted left Sey with plenty of time to prepare food. She had a lot of meat in their stew, but it was also served with freshly baked bread studded with garlic and rosemary, and even a simple apple tart to be shared with the group. Though when the food is made, she offers it to the group, as well as to the ill marid, using it as cover to help Paenitia check over them. She points out the time it started, but leaves the rest to the lucht.
Seyardu, Mac, and Rand have the mid-watch, set up Suchly: Pae early with Seyardu. Mac midwatch with some cross-over with Seyardu. Then early-watch will be Aimarra with some crossover of Randolf with Mac. That way Mac is never alone.
Poor Randolf. He's not a morning person.
MAC-B1G can overlap most or all watches as it does not require daily unconsciousness. "This unit is capable of solo operation."
Aimarra says, "No, you always want two people watching if you can."
Seyardu makes her attempt, "It is tactically sound for MAC-B1G to be accompanied by organic entities during the watch in case something seeks to subdue you during the night. Makes sense."
"Acknowledged. The logic verifys."
"Friend dragon, I wish to speak over here." Paenitia leads Seyardu off afer she's had a look at the Marid. She keeps her voice low, but speaks near enough to her companions they might overhear, and far enough from the marid's leader that he might not.
"Rito, he have the affliction I cannot treat with the mundane methods. It need the blessing of Althea to remove the disease. As you see, it come on at the night. The malady eventually will kill, he fade a little more each eve, until he is gone."
She stares up at silver-scale, "the remedy, you must make."
Recommendations given, she gears up for the first watch.
The construct can parse the logic of not revealing the details of an evaluation for more improved results. It has no knowledge of extraplanar medicine (or any for that matter), nor need to shutdown, consume, or most other biological functions. It simply takes up an overwatch position and begis to scan the surroundings.
GAME: MAC-B1G rolls perception: (11)+14: 25 GAME: Randolf rolls Perception: (7)+7: 14
The night wears on, everyone settles to sleep save those with the duty of maintaining a vigil over those sleeping. On and on, until it's Mac-B1g's turn and Randolf's turn at the grind of wakefulness.
MAC-B1G scans, scans, and scans further, throughout the dim and dark. It is not until unit designate Randolf joins the watch that its faceplate pauses in its scanning rotation. "Ground and air vibrations detected. Possible weather pattern or large mass incoming..." The construct ceases vocalizing and increases sensitivity. "Possible classification... biological... ovine or bovine." Assault amphibians previously appeared. This makes combat cows or special forces sheep certainly feasible.
"I'm awake, damn it, I'm -awake-," Randolf growls as he's shaken awake. Muttering and grumbling, he gets himself up into a sitting position, rubbing his face and slapping his cheeks in between bouts of jaw-cracking yawns. He digs out his pipe and tobacco pouch, filling the bowl and lighting it up with another conjured spark. He settles in to keep watch, puffing steadily as he looks blearily around. He's just not a morning person, but he's doing his very best to keep awake and alert. That distant rumbling though, has him looking up, whiskers ruffling. "Urrh? Eh? Wha--" He's cut off by another massive yawn. With a grunt, he heaves to his feet, peering into the night. "Thunder? Is it goin' tae storm...?" He blinks again, then scowls. He goes down to one knee, pressing a meaty palm to the ground. His eyes fly open. Now he's -wide- awake. "No, laddie, I think it's the other," he says to MAC. "I think it's summat -yuge-. An' it's comin' right for us!" He hurriedly douses his pipe and stuffs it in his pocket, exchanging it for his wand. "OY!" he booms, whistling sharply through his teeth. "On yer feet, friends! We got incomin'!"
MAC-B1G flails manipulators, flashes lights. "Danger! Danger!"
Thankfully, she was not in a hammock on an airship this time, so instead of falling on her face, the cleric merely flails about with her blanket on the ground before she bolts upright, and looks around. She is to her feet, and a polearm is pulled from her satchel. "What is it, Randolf? Mac? Do you have an idea what we are dealing with?"
Flashing lights and shouts rouse the little knight. She's awake and rapidly on her feet. Ramirez is right there, she sleeps under his wing. She tightens down the saddle strap then climbs up, her mask slipped in place, then buckler, then bow.
"Up, Ramirez, up!" She commands.
Still groggy, the peacock-andalusian takes to the air, and climbs, looking from side to side.
"There is something big, my love. See if you can find." Paenitia coos, patting at his neck, shivering. The wind is cold, her nightgown is thin. "If you find, go round and round, but not close."
'ruuaaaah.' The great bird-horse replies, somewhat intimidated by what he see. Not exactly afraid. Ramirez is never afraid! He is respectful, he realizes this is dangerous. Yes.
Aimarra doesn't take long to roll out either, having laid her armor aside, but kept bow and quiver close to hand. This was why. She looks just a little frowzy, but is already pulling an arrow and looking to the others ti see what direction the threat comes from.
Everyone can hear it now. The thunder as the groggy troope begins to wake up and gather their things close to the now-embers fire. The ground shudders underfoot. Something massive this way comes. It's getting closer, whatever it is. And FAST.
Ramirez doesn't dare get too close to whatever it is, but he'll start flying over it, and the bank he makes warns his mistress that whatever it is? Is HUGE. Massive. Low to the ground, but very wide and long.
MAC-B1G shuts down. Power loss.
Even in the air, Ramirez doesn't dare get too close to whatever it is he's spotted. He starts flying over, circling. A wide banking circle that's a clear warning to his mistress.
"The Huge thing approach!" Paenitia calls out loudly, "I do not see, but it very big, massive, it low to the ground and the very long and the very wide."
She gives some orders, "Set the light spells. Leader Mekusmen, maybe make the distracting illusions. It is to be on you soon."
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon1: (17)+13: 30 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d100: (55): 55 (vs 50% - Hit) GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon1-5: (1)+13+-5: 9 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Paenitia rolls damage1: aliased to 1d6+1: (5)+1: 6
She has enough of an idea where it is to take a shot in the dark. Two even. Taking arrows from her quiver, she looses them. The first flies down, making a solid 'thunk' somewhere. Sounds like a hit. The second.
>Squawk!<
"I am sorry Ramirez, that too close, you are right."
"Huge thing? It may be another one of the illusions." Seyardu warns, but she does not treat it as such. One hand reaches for her holy symbol, and she offers a brief prayer for those present. "It may be a summoned monster, we are no longer in the city. Or it could be a beast happening on our camp. Whatever it may be, we will drive it back."
Randolf grips his wand, peering into the night. "We cannae take the chance," he growls. "Don't hurt it if we don't have to, but... be ready for it in case we -do-." He hunkers himself down, readying himself to jump out of the way if it becomes necessary.
"I had no hand in this." Offers the leader of the troop, and folds his hands. "You must overcome these trials on your own; without aid from us I fear." So... it seems that light from him is not going to be forthcoming.
Randolf's eyes get wide as the thundering sound finally fades into view. "Beards o' me fathers!" he gasps, taking a step back. He glances at Mekusmen, then back to the onrushing herd. He lifts his wand and makes a quick twiddle. "Re ex re arcanos sofios!" His eyes flare with bright blue light briefly, granting him sight beyond sight--or at the very least, sensitivity to magical emanations. Randolf says, "... ohh piss up my -arse- THOSE ARE REAL BISON!!"
